Hi guys, first post as a new member to this board. I've had my '81 MC9 for about 5 years and have been a member over at the other board but just joined here. The archives at both places have been invaluable. But enough of that...

Three words - Electric Impact Wrench

I'm just completing a complete suspension overhaul of my bus - new air bags, radius rod bushings, shocks, etc. and this thing has been amazing. It's a Hitachi WR22SA. It's a 3/4" drive corded tool that develops about 500 ft/lbs of torque and draws about 7 amps. I say "about" because it will spin off lug nuts that I've torqued to 500, so I know it must be conservatively rated. Not cheap - around $360, but I wanted something I could use to remove wheel lugs on the side of the road (and other jobs) without worrying about air capacity or proximity to a compressor. Yes I know, now I need to worry about proximity to a power outlet, but those are a lot more common and I have a generator. I've bought a bunch of adapters so I can go to just about any size drive socket and get the job done. Make no mistake, this is a serious tool. Used on too small a fastener, it'll twist that sucker off like it ain't even there.

I wanted to post this because when I was considering impact guns, I immediately started thinking "air tool" without considering that there have been a lot of new technological developments. For me, this is a perfect solution. When re-installing my wheels, I start the nuts by hand, then spin 'em till the gun slows down, then torque them with a torque wrench. Takes about 5 minutes a wheel. It's also been a lifesaver with this radius rod bushing project.

For the record, I have no association with Hitachi or any interest in trying to sell anybody anything. Turns out they just make my new favorite bus tool.

I have a 1/2" drive air wrench that peaks at 600 lb-ft so I can't over torque the wheel nuts. I make the tire guys use it instead of their monsters since one stripped most of my studs on one wheel.

Why not make them use a manual torque wrench instead? I saw one at the tire dealer last year when I got two new steer tires. I have my own 600 pound manual torque wrench I got for a steal from an online pawn shop last year.

Counterclockwise. Some buses have left hand threaded studs on one side. I have a Tireman torque wrench that you can change which side of the wrench the socket is on to handle left hand and right hand threads.

Oh. The left side of mine has that. I always have called it left handed threads. Although my torque wrench can be reversed with a little dis-assembly, it doesn't go high enough anyway. My weight three feet out on the bar seems close enough.